Striker Almoez Ali brushed off complaints about his ineligibility to play by scoring a spectacular overhead kick as Qatar stunned Japan 3-1 in the final of the Asian Cup on Friday.

The build-up to the final was marred by complaints by hosts United Arab Emirates that suggested that Qatar's Sudan-born Ali, who finished the tournament as the top scorer with nine goals, and teammate Bassam Al-Rawi did not meet FIFA's criteria for eligibility to play for Qatar.

Japan reduced the arrears through Takumi Minamino's 69th-minute strike, but a penalty from Akram Afif restored Qatar's two-goal cushion with seven minutes to go, securing the win for Qatar and sending Japan to their first defeat in an Asian Cup final.